Bury South MP Christian Wakeford has accused the government of "dragging their feet" over plans to build a new high school in Radcliffe.

The Department for Education said the new school, Star Leadership Academy Radcliffe, will provide 750 places for 750 pupils in Years 7 to 11.

It is due to be constructed and ready to be in use for September 2024 but the Labour politician has aired concerns that a lack of progress is being made.

He has now written to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to ask her to confirm that the school will be built and open for that time.

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In his letter, he has requested a face-to-face meeting with her to address concerns and has demanded that the promise of the school will be upheld.

Mr Wakeford also said in the letter that many children who live in Radcliffe have to commute to a high school outside the town which can have a detrimental impact on educational attainment.

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He added: “Radcliffe is one of the most deprived towns within the borough and to compound this further it also has some of the lowest attainment for GCSE’s and progression into higher education.

“Education is fundamental to Radcliffe’s growth, its community and to its future regeneration.”

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In November last year, Mr Wakeford said there was an ambiguous update given but neither the council, councillors or himself has been made aware of any significant progression to the school's construction.

In a recent social media post, Mr Wakeford said: “Radcliffe is in desperate need of a school and Radcliffe was promised a school.

“Therefore, I am perplexed as to why the government are now dragging their feet.

“The people of Radcliffe need answers.”

In response to Mr Wakeford's concerns, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “Improving education for the children and young people of Radcliffe is hugely important to us.

"We are liaising with Radcliffe’s local authority and the future school’s chosen trust, Star Academies, in respect of the delivery programme for the new school.”

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